It was determined at once to meet it boldly--to extenuate nothing, to retract nothing--to take advantage of no legal subterfuge; but dare the issue promptly, openly and fully.

Mr.O'Brien at first refused to be defended by counsel.

He was with great difficulty prevailed upon to change his determination; and, when it was known that he was willing to accept professional assistance, at least twenty of the ablest young men at the bar volunteered their services; and the traversers saw arrayed at their side an amount of professional ability and chivalry such as was never united on such an occasion.

The most respectable solicitors in the profession, too, contended for the honour of being their recorded attorneys.

The juries disagreed in both cases; and the charge against Mitchel lapsed into that more formidable prosecution which sealed his fate.
Mitchel's arrest under the Treason Felony Act was not unexpected.